Pep Guardiola claims Everton and Man City’s cases are ‘COMPLETELY different’ – but pledges to stay even if they’re ‘relegated to League One’ for alleged financial breaches

Pep Guardiola claimed that he is more likely to remain Manchester City manager if they are relegated to League One than retaining the Champions League.

The 115 charges handed down by the Premier League earlier in the year have again been under the microscope following Everton’s 10-point deduction.

Guardiola pleaded for City’s detractors to show patience with their case amid growing criticism of the time taken over their situation, with Everton’s dealt with far quicker.

The City boss pointed out that the two cases are ‘completely different’ and can feel the thirst from rivals for the champions to be punished with relegation down to the EFL for financial breaches.

‘I’ll answer when I have the sentence – you’ve questioned me like we’ve been punished,’ Guardiola said after being asked about his hypothetical future.

Everton were handed a 10-point deduction last week by the Premier League after being found to have been in breach of financial regulations

‘At the moment we’re innocent. I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain it.

‘But absolutely I will not consider my future (if) it depends being here or being in League One. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League.’

Guardiola has been consistent in his backing for City’s hierarchy, always maintaining that he believes in their innocence.

And the 52-year-old – who faces old foe Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday at lunchtime on the hunt for a fourth consecutive league title – believes there is an external thirst for City to be punished in the severest form.

Guardiola added: ‘People think “Ok City, City, why don’t they go to the Conference?” Wait. Wait.

‘When you read that we should be relegated, of course (I’m frustrated] because nobody knows exactly. I didn’t read all the breaches, our defence.

‘Wait. I say if there is something wrong OK, we’ll be punished. After that I will be here, the spokesman of the club. All I know from the lawyers is that Everton is a completely different case.’